Frictional retarding device for spring suspension



Sept. 8, 1931. J PlLBLAD 1,822,236

FRICTIONAL RETARDING DEVICE FOR SPRING SUSPENSION P "J E Awe FRICTIONAL RETARDING DEVICE FOR SEEING SUSPENSIjQN 5 Shegatsfiheat Z E. J. PI LBLAD Filed D92. 25. 1936 Sept. 8, 1931.

P 1931- E. J. PILBLAD 1,822,236

FRICTIONAL RETARDING DEVICE FOR SPRING SUSPENSION Filed Dec. 25, 1936 ,3 Sheets-Sheet 3 411 7Zr fric k/b/a 0 5y W I A g I I {#6. I

Patented Sept. 8 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ERIC JULIUS PILIBLAD, OF'ROCKVILLE CENTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE AS SIGNMENTS, TO LEOPARD ,AUTOMOBILE PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, V

N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE FRICTIONAL RETARDING DEVICE FOR SPRING SUSPENSION Application filed December 23, 1926. Serial No. 156,709.

This invention relates to improvements in frictional retarding devices for'spring suspension and the objects of the invention are to limit the amplitude of vibration between 5 the axle and body of avehicle to thereby improve the riding qualities of the latter.

Further objects are generally to improve and simplify adevice of this character to enable it to better perform the functions required of it, and it consists essentially of the improved construction hereinafter described in detail in the accompanying specifications and drawings.

' Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is the sectional elevation of one embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

In the drawings, like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

The general construction of the device herein shown so far as it relates to thespring actuated supporting member and to its connection to the frame of the vehicle is the same as disclosed in my co-pending application Serial Number 124,154, to which reference is made for such details as are not herein shown or described.

Referring to the drawings: V

A indicates the frame of a vehicle on which is mounted a bracket B, which pivotally supports a rocker arm C which is connected at 10 to the vehicle axle and has its opposite or upstanding arm 11 connected to the supporting spring D through a tie rod 12, all as described in my aforesaid application.

The present invention provides means for offering increasing frictional resistance to movement in either direction of the member C from a given normal position. 7 These means comprise a pivoted braking member E pivoted to a suitable pin 13 on the frame A. Braking member E is provided with a curved braking surface 14' which may be of asbestos or other'material commonly used to line brake bands, and is adapted to engage a suitable braking surface. This braking surface is constituted in the embodiment illustrated by an angular bracket or plate 15 secured to the arm 11 and having a curved surface 16 adaptedto tit and engage the surface 14, the curvature of both surfaces being concentric to the axis about which the rocker member C turns.

. Means are provided to draw the member E against the member 15 when the rocker arm is swung a given amount in either direc tion. The form of such means as shown in Figs; 1 and 2 of the drawings comprises in the first place a rod 17 pivoted to the extremity of the member E carrying on its opposite extremity a plate or washer 18 which bears ,agalnst. a helical compression spring 19 mounted within a thimble or sleeve 20 and bearing against the inner end of the same. The thimble or sleeve 20 at its opposite end has a bolt or rod 21 pivoted thereto and extending through a perforated lug 22 on the rocker arm C the extremity of the rod or bolt 21 carrying a lock nut'23.

A similar connection between the rocker arm and'member E is provided on the opposite side of the pivot for the rocker arm, this second connection comprising a rod 24 pivoted intermediate of the length of the member E having its opposite extremity connected to a plate or washer 25 which bears against a spring 26 bearing against the sleeve or thimble '27, the opposite extremity of which is pivotally connected to the bolt 28, whichextends through a'perforated lug 29 on the rocker arm, and is provided at its extremity with a lock nut 30.

It will be seen that the arrangement just described provides a flexible and resilient connection between the rocker arm and the braking member designed to cause actuating of the latter in an increasing degree as the rocker arm moves in either direction from a' ing member E against the braking surface 16.

At the same time the bolt 21 on the opposite side of the pivot may slide freely in the lug 22 which thereby provides a lost motion connection between the bolt and the rocker arm. Upon movement in an anti-clockwise direction the reverse action will take place. The brake member E being in this case drawn against the braking surface by resilient pressure exerted through the rod 17. During this motion in a clockwise direction the member C will of course move against the spring D which provides a constant rate of gain as opposed to the frictional resistance which will have an accelerated rate of gain by reason of the increased pressure. It will also be noticed that the rods 17 and 24 of the yielding applicator links for the brake shoe or member E are connected to the latter at diiierent distances from the pivot 13. This provides for a differential application of the braking effect during movements of the rocker arm 0 in opposite directions. In the alternate form of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the braking member E and the connection between the braking member and rocking arm C is as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the operation of the braking member however is efiected through an applicator device comprising a lever 31 connected to a cam 32 journalled in a casing G, which encloses the upper part of the arm 11, a similar casing being also indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. The cam member when turned in opposite directions from a given central position is designed to force the brake member E downwardly against the braking surface. Movement of the cam member through the lever 31 is effected by means of the rocker arm C which carries a sleeve 33 having two helical springs therein bearing against the ends of the same, and connected to a central cross head pin 34 which extends through a slot 35 in the sleeve and is pivotally connected to the extremity of the lever 31. Thus as the member C is moved from a given position in either direction the springs will bear against and move the cross head pin 34 which will turn the lever 31 and cause the cam carried thereby to actuate the braking arm.

As many changes could be made in the above construction within the scope of the appended claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the specification should be understood in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the character described, in combination, a pivoted rocker arm, a pivoted braking member for said rocker arm and means controlled by movements of said rocker arm for applying said braking member to exert restraint to movements of said rocker arm in opposite directions.

2.. In a device of the character described, incombination, a pivoted rocker arm, apivoted braking member for said rocker arm and differential means controlled by movements of said rocker arm for applying said braking member to exert restraint to movements of said rocker arm in opposite directions.

3. In a device of the character described, in combination, a pivoted rocker arm, a pivoted braking member for said rocker arm and means including a plurality of applying springs controlled by movements of said rocker arm for applying said braking member to exert restraint to movements of said rocker arm in opposite directions.

4. In a device of the character described, in combination, a pivoted rocker arm, a pivoted braking member for said rocker arm and differential means including a plurality of applying springs controlled by movements of said rocker arm for applying said brakin member to exert restraint to movements or said rocker arm in opposite directions.

5. In a device of the character described, in combination, a pivoted spring supported rocker arm, a pivoted braking member adapted to be moved toward and away from said rocker arm and a flexible connection between the braking member and rocking arm for actuating the braking member from the rocker arm.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, a pivoted spring supported rocker arm, a pivoted braking member for said rocker arm, anoperating rod connected to said brake member, a spring connected to said rod and a connection between the spring and the rocker arm.

7. In a device of the character described, in combination, a pivoted spring supported rocker arm, a pivoted braking member for said rocker arm and an operating connection between said braking member and said rocker arm including a rod connected to said braking member, a spring connected to said rod, a sleeve surrounding said spring and bearing against the same, a bolt pivoted to said sleeve and a lug on the rocker arm to which the bolt is connected.

8. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rocker arm connected for movement between the chassis and axle of a vehicle, a braking member for said rocker arm and means controlled by movements of the rocker arm including yielding links connected to said arm and to said braking member for applying the latter to exert restraint to movements of said rocker arm in opposite directions.

9. In a device of the character described, in combination, a pivoted rocker arm, a pivoted braking member for said rocker arm and links connected to said rocker arm at opposite sides of its pivot and connected at different distances from the pivot of the braking member.

10. In a device of the character described, in combination, a pivoted spring supported rocker arm, a braking member for said rocker arm, controlling meansfor said braking member including an applicator lever and means controlled by movements of the rocker arm in either direction for operating said applicator lever to apply said braking member.

11. In a device of the character described,

in combination, a pivoted spring supported rocker arm, a braking member for said rocker arm, controlling means for said braking member including an applicator lever and means controlled by movements of the rocker arm in either direction for operating said applicator lever to apply said braking member, said operating means including a plurality of yielding connections between said rocker arm and said applicator lever.

12. A device of the class described comprising a pivoted rocker arm, a bracket supporting same, a pivoted brake member, spring devices on opposite sides of the pivotal point of the rocker arm operatively connected to the brake member designed to actuate the same upon movement in either direction of the rocker arm.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 7

ERIC JULIUS PILBLAD. 

